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Area schools making plans to continue co-op/unification talks

By Sheri Hink-WagnerThe Wauneta Breeze Early this month, on Feb. 4, committees from the Wauneta-Palisade Public Schools board and the Hayes Center Public Schools board met to discuss a possible cooperative agreement (co-op) for extracurricular activities, including sports, or unification of the two districts. As of Tuesday, the two boards are in the process of making arrangements for another meeting, according to WP Board President Jon Anderjaska. Details for the next meeting have not been finalized, but HC representatives reached out to ask for the meeting. The HC committee originally approached WP to discuss a possible cooperative agreement for high school sports. However, during the Feb. 4 discussion, WP committee members pushed the HC committee to consider either a co-op of all activities for grades seven through 12 or a unification of the two school districts. An activities co-op would entail the two districts combining on extracurricular activities (such as speech, one-act, sports, etc.). The two schools would enter competitions as a new, combined team instead of individual school teams. If the districts decide to unify, the cooperation could run deeper. With a unification the districts would also pool their resources–their tax base and students. Unification also offers flexibility for change. The WP committee is strongly advocating unification of the districts. The districts are on a short time line to make a decision because the Nebraska School Activities Association’s (NSAA) deadline for next year’s school activities is April 1. WP representatives at the Feb. 4 meeting included board president Anderjaska, school board members John Jutten and Allison Sandman, as well as, Randy Geier, WP Superintendent. The WP committee members attending the next meeting with the HC committee may change due to a family medical concern for one board member. HC representatives at the Feb. 4 meeting included new HC board president Aaron Broz, school board members Toby Cox and Dexter Lacey and Tony Primavera, HC principal and activities director.